Viking Yachts 48 Convertible

Introduced in 2002, the Viking 48 Convertible (note that Viking built an earlier 48-foot convertible in 1985–90) was yet another example of why Viking so dominates the market for premium, executive-class convertibles. It isn’t just beautiful styling that sets her apart from the competition; what makes the Viking 48 special is redundant engineering, exemplary fit and finish and superior open-water performance. Built on a modified-V hull with a broad 16'6"" beam, the Viking’s wide open interior is big for a 48-footer. The layout is arranged with the galley and dinette forward in the salon with a choice of two or three staterooms below. Both floorplans include two full heads as well as a standard washer/dryer adjacent to the companionway steps. Varnished teak cabinets, rich designer fabrics, and deep pile carpeting are applied throughout the interior. The spacious 130-square-foot cockpit sports a recessed fish box, bait prep station and direct access to the meticulous engine room. Note that the bridge ladder is positioned over the salon steps to save cockpit space. A spirited performer, 1,100hp MANs (or 1,015hp Cats) cruise at an honest 30 knots (34–35 top).

Built on a lengthened and reworked Viking 46 Convertible hull, Viking used the extra length of the 48 Convertible to create a huge, 144-square-foot fishing cockpit—still the largest to be found in a flybridge boat this size. Unlike the 46, the Viking 48 has a solid front windshield and a much-improved engine room. Like all Viking models, she’s heavily built on a low-deadrise modified-V hull with a wide beam, a shallow keel, and balsa-cored hullsides. In the original two-stateroom interior the galley and dinette are at mid-level. An alternate three-stateroom layout replaced the dinette with a small private cabin, and in 1989 the Plan “C” arrangement offered an L-shaped dinette on the deckhouse level and two very spacious staterooms. The 48’s massive cockpit is fitted with two in-deck fish boxes, a tackle center, and a transom door—all standard. The flybridge has seating for eight. Additional features include wide side decks, a molded pulpit, and a spacious engine room. A stiff ride in a chop, the Viking 48 will cruise at 23–24 knots with 550hp Detroit 6V92s (about 26 knots top). With 735hp 8V92s (standard in later models), the cruising speed is a fast 27–28 knots with a top speed of close to 30 knots.